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Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History
Hit the trail for a dramatic look at Wisconsin’s geologic past.
The impressive bluffs, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes of Wisconsin’s state parks provide more than beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities. They are windows into the distant past, offering clues to the dramatic events that have shaped the land over billions of years.
Author and former DNR journalist Scott Spoolman takes readers with him to twenty-eight parks, forests, and natural areas where evidence of the state’s striking geologic and natural history are on display. In an accessible storytelling style, Spoolman sheds light on the volcanoes that poured deep layers of lava rock over a vast area in the northwest, the glacial masses that flattened and molded the landscape of northern and eastern Wisconsin, mountain ranges that rose up and wore away over hundreds of millions of years, and many other bedrock-shaping phenomena. These stories connect geologic processes to the current landscape, as well as to the evolution of flora and fauna and development of human settlement and activities, for a deeper understanding of our state’s natural history.
The book includes a selection of detailed trail guides for each park, which hikers can take with them on the trail to view evidence of Wisconsin’s geologic and natural history for themselves.
The impressive bluffs, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes of Wisconsin’s state parks provide more than beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities. They are windows into the distant past, offering clues to the dramatic events that have shaped the land over billions of years.
Author and former DNR journalist Scott Spoolman takes readers with him to twenty-eight parks, forests, and natural areas where evidence of the state’s striking geologic and natural history are on display. In an accessible storytelling style, Spoolman sheds light on the volcanoes that poured deep layers of lava rock over a vast area in the northwest, the glacial masses that flattened and molded the landscape of northern and eastern Wisconsin, mountain ranges that rose up and wore away over hundreds of millions of years, and many other bedrock-shaping phenomena. These stories connect geologic processes to the current landscape, as well as to the evolution of flora and fauna and development of human settlement and activities, for a deeper understanding of our state’s natural history.
The book includes a selection of detailed trail guides for each park, which hikers can take with them on the trail to view evidence of Wisconsin’s geologic and natural history for themselves.
228 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2018
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72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 12, 2020
I read “Wisconsin State Parks” during a visit to Door County during which I bicycled through one of the parks highlighted, Peninsula State Park, and looked across Whitefish Bay at another, Whitefish Dunes State Park.
The narrative starts with “The Big Picture: An Overview of Wisconsin’s Geological and Natural History”. It is then divided into five sections, beginning in the northwest and swinging in an arc into the northeast. Each section includes an introduction to the geology of the area including the rocks, the forces that formed the surface and the history of human habitation. It then focuses on several state parks or forests in the region with a description of the land and a guide to one or more trails in the park. Author Scott Spoolman wisely advises that, after reading “The Big Picture”, it is not necessary to read the remaining sections in order. I started with those with which I was most familiar. Maps, color photographs and drawings helpfully supplement the text. Do not miss the picture of The Balanced Rock on page 119. You otherwise would not believe it.
This book is part travelogue and part history, but mostly earth science. From this tome and “Walking Home Ground” and “John Muir: Selected Writings” (see my review of each) I have learned that Wisconsin is a case study of plate movement and glacial action. This work broadens the reader’s mind to see beyond the current planet to times when Wisconsin’s land was near the equator, convulsed by volcanoes, covered by and drained of water, barren of life and eroded by wind, rain and advancing and retreating glaciers. It helps the reader to appreciate the sequelae of each in its hills and valleys, lakes and rivers and several other earth forms for which I had to glean the definitions.
I like this book because I learned new things from it. I recently read “Ridge Stories” (see my review) consisting of memories from “The Driftless”. I now know that the Driftless is the southwestern portion of Wisconsin that was not covered by glaciers. I now better understand the development of the Ridges that were explained when I toured in them in Bailey’s Harbor. I now view rocks and hills and valleys, not just for the beauty they possess, but for the stories they tell. I would like to visit more of these landscapes, with “Wisconsin State Parks” as my guide. If your interest is geology, you plan to visit one of the parks featured or if you just enjoy knowing what you are seeing this is a book for you.
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
The narrative starts with “The Big Picture: An Overview of Wisconsin’s Geological and Natural History”. It is then divided into five sections, beginning in the northwest and swinging in an arc into the northeast. Each section includes an introduction to the geology of the area including the rocks, the forces that formed the surface and the history of human habitation. It then focuses on several state parks or forests in the region with a description of the land and a guide to one or more trails in the park. Author Scott Spoolman wisely advises that, after reading “The Big Picture”, it is not necessary to read the remaining sections in order. I started with those with which I was most familiar. Maps, color photographs and drawings helpfully supplement the text. Do not miss the picture of The Balanced Rock on page 119. You otherwise would not believe it.
This book is part travelogue and part history, but mostly earth science. From this tome and “Walking Home Ground” and “John Muir: Selected Writings” (see my review of each) I have learned that Wisconsin is a case study of plate movement and glacial action. This work broadens the reader’s mind to see beyond the current planet to times when Wisconsin’s land was near the equator, convulsed by volcanoes, covered by and drained of water, barren of life and eroded by wind, rain and advancing and retreating glaciers. It helps the reader to appreciate the sequelae of each in its hills and valleys, lakes and rivers and several other earth forms for which I had to glean the definitions.
I like this book because I learned new things from it. I recently read “Ridge Stories” (see my review) consisting of memories from “The Driftless”. I now know that the Driftless is the southwestern portion of Wisconsin that was not covered by glaciers. I now better understand the development of the Ridges that were explained when I toured in them in Bailey’s Harbor. I now view rocks and hills and valleys, not just for the beauty they possess, but for the stories they tell. I would like to visit more of these landscapes, with “Wisconsin State Parks” as my guide. If your interest is geology, you plan to visit one of the parks featured or if you just enjoy knowing what you are seeing this is a book for you.
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
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October 24, 2018Loved this book. We recently traveled to Door County and reading the chapter on the Northeast Quarter gave me an appreciation on Wisconsin's geologic history and the topology of the area. Who knew that Precrambian Era, that Wisconsin was south of the equator?
February 11, 2021
Great introduction into the historic geology that has formed Wisconsin and how the state parks provide evidence and examples of these noteworthy events. Makes you more aware the why and how state parks look the way they do.
January 22, 2024
The book "Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History" provides a fascinating journey through Wisconsin's geological and natural history, exploring different eras and regions that have shaped the state's landscapes. The Mesozoic Era, spanning approximately 400 million to 2 million years ago, saw sea levels drop globally, allowing for the evolution of diverse dinosaurs. However, due to erosion effects, little rock record remains in Wisconsin from this era, leaving scientists to speculate about the prehistoric life in the region. During this time, Wisconsin was dynamically moving on its drifting tectonic plate.
The Driftless Area in the state's southwest corner stands out as a geological anomaly, lacking evidence of glaciation. This region has become a showcase of unglaciated landscape, drawing attention from scientists worldwide. Glacial activities, particularly during the Wisconsin glaciation, played a significant role in shaping Wisconsin's topography. The glaciers created features such as moraines, ridges of glacial debris, and carved out basins for the Great Lakes. As the ice retreated around 10,000 years ago, diverse ecosystems gradually developed, from tundra to forests, prairies, and savannas.
Human history in Wisconsin dates back to the Paleo-Indians, who entered the region around 12,000 years ago following the glacier's retreat. The construction of effigy mounds and the land utilization by various indigenous tribes, including the Ojibwe, are highlighted. The book also delves into the geological history of specific parks, such as Governor Dodge State Park in the Driftless Area and Devil's Lake State Park, offering insights into the natural features and human interactions with these landscapes. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of Wisconsin's geological past, showcasing its unique features and the interactions between its landscapes and inhabitants.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Mesozioc Era (248 – 65 MYA):
o Sea levels dropped globally.
o Limited rock record in Wisconsin due to erosion, making it difficult to study dinosaur and plant life during this era.
o Wisconsin experienced geological shifts while riding on drifting tectonic plates.
2. Driftless Area:
o Unique geological feature in southwest Wisconsin with no evidence of glacial drift.
o Studied globally as a showcase of unglaciated landscape.
o Glaciers played a significant role in shaping the Great Lakes, including Lake Superior.
3. Post-Glacial Period (10,000 years ago):
o Ice receded, and plant communities gradually established.
o Transition from tundra to forests, including spruce, fir, jack pine, and later white pine, maple, and eastern hemlock.
o Native peoples, Paleo-Indians, entered Wisconsin around 12,000 years ago.
4. Effigy Mounds and Paleo-Indians:
o Paleo-Indians entered Wisconsin following large mammals.
o Effigy mounds, built around this period, possibly served as territorial markers or clan markers.
o Archaeological evidence suggests mound building was associated with animal shapes.
5. Rift Zone - Northwest Corner:
o Shaped by extreme heat and cold forces, resulting in Penokean Mountains.
o Glaciers played a role in shaping Lake Superior basin and Wisconsin's landscape.
o Evidence of continental compression and upthrusting in northwestern Wisconsin.
6. Glacial Effects:
o Glaciers created moraines, ridges of glacial debris.
o Glacier's retreat led to dramatic landscape changes.
o Native peoples adapted to changing environments, hunting mastodons and mining copper.
7. Driftless Area - Southwest Corner:
o The Driftless Area avoided glaciation due to geographic luck.
o Erosion and water sculpted the landscape during the ice age.
o River valleys, especially the lower Wisconsin River, were shaped by post-glacial processes.
8. Governor Dodge State Park:
o Largest state park in the Driftless Area, showcasing the balance between upland and lowland.
o Offers a glimpse into the pre-European settlement landscape.
o Erosion continues to shape the park's features.
9. Wyalusing State Park:
o Located in the Driftless Area with grand views of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers confluence.
o Despite being in the Driftless Area, evidence of some ice coverage found near the Wisconsin River mouth.
o Highlights the geological diversity of the Driftless region.
10. Devil's Lake State Park:
o Geological history dating back 1,650 million years.
o Formed after the glacier advanced, creating a glacial lake with icebergs.
o Popular tourist destination with rich Native American history, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) contributions, and ongoing erosion challenges.
April 17, 2018
Spoolman’s exploration of Wisconsin through the natural history of its state parks helps natives and visitors alike know Wisconsin in a more meaningful way. Spoolman’s journey and revelations almost feel as though he’s sharing our state from the inside out.
In his latest book, Wisconsin State Parks, he guides the reader through five areas of unique topography, examining what makes twenty-six of our nearly fifty state parks special, as well as two of our dozens of state forests.
Opening with a chapter on the “big picture” of knowable history, Spoolman takes the reader on a wholly readable and understandable geologic survey of what is now Wisconsin, from the earliest speculations of forming and reforming land masses to the ages from the Cenozoic to Precambrian periods. Using charts and figures, he breaks information into easily digestible and interesting bites which lay the groundwork to understand the current topography. The author then moves into early animal and human occupation which have also affected the land for thousands of years.
The five areas Spoolman identifies are The Rift Zone of the northwest corner of the state, The Driftless Area of the southwest corner, Carved by Water and Ice for the south-central area, The Glacial Showcase of southwestern Wisconsin and the Bones of the Land for the northeast quadrant. Wisconsin is a large state with many varied features. He selected five or six parks or forests for an intimate look in each area.
Each area chapter opens with several pages of general geologic history, including figures and excellent definitions of terms used to explain the described features. I turned to the Glacial Showcase first, as I had lived near the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine Forest for thirty years. The forest unit and guided trails at Parnell Tower and High Cliff were spot on. I now live in the “Driftless” area, and checked out Spoolman’s description of Wildcat Mountain.
Using photographs from different times of the year, late summer and mostly fall, the author showcases the best of natural Wisconsin. For parks such as Rock Island in Door County, he also includes a little light keeper history. Native American tribal people impacts through the ages are also noted. Spoolman takes the reader on a guided walk through forty of the trails in the described parks, adding personal observations and interesting facts along the way.
What you won’t find is specific information about the Wisconsin Park system, such as entrance fees, camping, directions or addresses, or various permits needed.
Spoolman’s bibliography is an excellent resource guide for those who want to know more, and an index is helpful.
Easily readable, recommended for junior high and up. Families and hikers will appreciate learning more about our state. Small enough to take on a hike or camping, having Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History will add to your nature experience.
In his latest book, Wisconsin State Parks, he guides the reader through five areas of unique topography, examining what makes twenty-six of our nearly fifty state parks special, as well as two of our dozens of state forests.
Opening with a chapter on the “big picture” of knowable history, Spoolman takes the reader on a wholly readable and understandable geologic survey of what is now Wisconsin, from the earliest speculations of forming and reforming land masses to the ages from the Cenozoic to Precambrian periods. Using charts and figures, he breaks information into easily digestible and interesting bites which lay the groundwork to understand the current topography. The author then moves into early animal and human occupation which have also affected the land for thousands of years.
The five areas Spoolman identifies are The Rift Zone of the northwest corner of the state, The Driftless Area of the southwest corner, Carved by Water and Ice for the south-central area, The Glacial Showcase of southwestern Wisconsin and the Bones of the Land for the northeast quadrant. Wisconsin is a large state with many varied features. He selected five or six parks or forests for an intimate look in each area.
Each area chapter opens with several pages of general geologic history, including figures and excellent definitions of terms used to explain the described features. I turned to the Glacial Showcase first, as I had lived near the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine Forest for thirty years. The forest unit and guided trails at Parnell Tower and High Cliff were spot on. I now live in the “Driftless” area, and checked out Spoolman’s description of Wildcat Mountain.
Using photographs from different times of the year, late summer and mostly fall, the author showcases the best of natural Wisconsin. For parks such as Rock Island in Door County, he also includes a little light keeper history. Native American tribal people impacts through the ages are also noted. Spoolman takes the reader on a guided walk through forty of the trails in the described parks, adding personal observations and interesting facts along the way.
What you won’t find is specific information about the Wisconsin Park system, such as entrance fees, camping, directions or addresses, or various permits needed.
Spoolman’s bibliography is an excellent resource guide for those who want to know more, and an index is helpful.
Easily readable, recommended for junior high and up. Families and hikers will appreciate learning more about our state. Small enough to take on a hike or camping, having Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History will add to your nature experience.
February 5, 2022
A great combination geological history history and tour guide of the Wisconsin state park system. The author explains the the geological forces that shaped Wisconsin over the millennia, and then tells you which trails to take to see the evidence of these various forces and processes.
I can't wait to go and visit these place myself!
I can't wait to go and visit these place myself!
February 4, 2020
Part trail guide, part natural history of Wisconsin's state parks, this terrific book will satisfy avid hikers, family vacationers and science or geography geeks alike. Fabulous photographs and fascinating history combine to create a must have guide.
July 5, 2018
A wonderful compilation of geological facts and history for each park, lain out in an easy to follow format as long as you don't skip around to different parks.
January 11, 2021
To be fair, I only read the few parks that have intended visits just to get a background on them.
May 26, 2021
Fascinating overview of the geology of a subset of the Wisconsin State Parks.
August 13, 2024
This is a great source before visiting any of our great state parks
February 20, 2025
This was a great book that discussed the geology of Wisconsin State Parks. I enjoyed learning how some of my favorite places were made. I also learned of some new parks I want to travel to.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews